GAIN, v.t. [Heb. to gain, to possess.] 1. To obtain by industry or the employment of capital; to get as profit or advantage; to acquire. Any industrious person may gain a good living in America; but it is less difficult to gain property, than it is to use it with prudence. Money at interest may gain five, six, or seven per cent. What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world,and lose his own soul? Matt.16.2. To win; to obtain by superiority or success; as, to gain a battle or a victory; to gain a prize; to gain a cause in law.3. To obtain; to acquire; to procure; to receive; as, to gain favor; to gain reputation. For fame with toil we gain, but lose with ease.4. To obtain an increase of anything; as, to gain time.5. To obtain or receive anything, good or bad; as, to gain harm and loss. Acts. 27.6. To draw into any interest or party; to win to one's side; to conciliate. To gratify the queen,and gain the court. If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Matt.18.7. To obtain as a suitor.8. To reach; to attain to; to arrive at; as, to gain the top of a mountain; to gain a good harbor.To gain into, to draw or persuade to join in. He gained Lepidus into his measures.To gain over, to draw to another party or interest; to win over. To gain ground, to advance in any undertaking; to prevail; to acquire strength or extent; to increase. GAIN, v.i. To have advantage or profit; to grow rich; to advance in interest or happiness. Thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbors by extortion. Ezek. 22.1. To encroach; to advance on; to come forward by degrees; with on; as, the ocean or river gains on the land.2. To advance nearer; to gain ground on; with on; as, a fleet horse gains on his competitor.3. To get ground; to prevail against or have the advantage. The English have not only gained upon the Venetians in the Levant, but have their cloth in Venice itself.4. To obtain influence with. My good behavior had so far gained on the emperor,that I began to conceive hopes of liberty.To gain the wind, in sea language, is to arrive on the windward side of another ship. GAIN, n. Profit; interest; something obtained as an advantage. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Phil.3.1. Unlawful advantage. 2 Cor.12.2. Overplus in computation; any thing opposed to loss.GAIN, n. In architecture, a beveling shoulder; a lapping of timbers, or the cut that is made for receiving a timber. GAIN, a. Handy; dexterous. |
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In celebration of Noah Webster's Birthday (October 16, 2009), we have prepared an updated website. 
